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AAA Northeast

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Motorcycle deaths increase in the summer. METRO photo

AAA urges increased vigilance during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

As warm weather finally blankets the Northeast, road users are getting out more — including motorcyclists. Unfortunately, this brings a sharp increase in fatal crashes involving motorcycles. An analysis by AAA Northeast of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from the last decade found that almost 60% of motorcyclist fatalities occur between May and September.

Motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S. continue to trend dangerously upward. There were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in 2023, representing 15% of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA. This came despite motorcycles making up only one percent of all the miles traveled in the U.S. This was the highest number of motorcyclists killed since 1975, the earliest year of available data.

“The continued increase in motorcyclist fatalities is especially troubling given that most categories of traffic fatalities decreased from 2022 to 2023, while motorcyclist deaths continued their dangerous climb,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “As we all take to the roads more frequently during warmer weather, drivers must keep in mind that staying alert and aware is critical to improving safety, especially as motorcycles can be more difficult to see because of their size.”

NY: In New York, there were 188 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.

NJ: In New Jersey, there were 76 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to Numetric’s crash data repository.

CT: In Connecticut, there were 55 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in 2023, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository.

AAA offers the following tips for drivers:

  • Increase following distance and take extra care when driving behind a motorcycle, especially when stopping or accelerating.
  • Carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles, which are less visible than other vehicles on the road.
  • If a motorcyclist has their turn signal on, wait to make sure they actually turn before passing them. The turn signals on many motorcycles do not turn off automatically, so there’s a chance they could be activated from an earlier maneuver.
  • Never drive distracted. At 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for just 5 seconds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing nearly 6.8 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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METRO photo

As of April 21, all local gasoline prices are a penny to three cents lower than a week ago, except Long Island which held steady, according to a report from AAA Northeast. The national average fell three cents.

The AAA Fuel Prices website shows today’s New York City average at $3.09 per gallon, a penny less than last week. Connecticut is also down one cent at $3.04. Long Island remains flat at $2.99. New Jersey is down three cents to $2.97.

Prices continue lower on weak demand. Last week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), Americans consumed just 8.46 million barrels of gasoline per day—a slight uptick of 37,000 barrels a day over the prior week, but still trailing 2024’s pace by roughly 200,000 barrels a day. Next week’s figures, which will include data encompassing the Easter holiday, will be closely watched by market analysts to see if demand breaks out of the spring doldrums.

“As demand has continued to stay soft, refiners have dialed back gasoline production to keep a floor beneath pump prices, which are the lowest for this time of year since 2021,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “Across the country, drivers are spending between 50 and 60 cents less per gallon than this time last year.”

On April 21, Mississippi and Tennessee have the lowest prices in the nation, at $2.68 and $2.70, respectively. California and Hawaii hold the highest prices in the nation this week at $4.84 and $4.50, respectively.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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METRO photo

To mark National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, AAA Northeast is urging drivers to ditch the distractions to help combat the staggering number of distracted driving fatalities in the United States.

In 2022, 3,308 people were killed and 289,310 people were injured in U.S. traffic crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The number of fatal crashes involving distraction (3,047) accounted for 8% of all fatal traffic crashes (39,221) in 2022.

In New York, between 2020 and 2024, there were more than 441,000 crashes involving a distracted driver, according to state crash data. Over 115,000 of the crashes resulted in an injury and nearly 600 were fatal.

NHTSA reports cellphone use — including texting, talking and social media use — is the most common form of distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

AAA research shows 93% of drivers surveyed in a recent study perceive texting, emailing and reading on a cellphone as extremely or very dangerous. However, many drivers still acknowledged engaging in the following risky behaviors in the prior 30 days:

  • Typing or sending a text or email: 27%
  • Reading a text or email: 37%
  • Holding and talking on a cellphone: 36%

“Any activity that takes your eyes off the road is a potential distraction and increases your risk of a crash,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “It’s imperative to give driving your full attention and ditch the distractions — because it could save a life.”

For teen drivers, AAA research has found talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle is a top contributor to crashes.

AAA offers the following tips to keep drivers alert:

  • Avoid texting, emailing or scrolling through apps while driving, put your cellphone in the glove box, back seat or trunk of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
  • If you need to send a text immediately, pull over and park your car in a safe location.
  • Designate your passenger as your “designated texter” to respond to calls or messages.
  • If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, call out their behavior. Remind them it’s unsafe and encourage them to focus on the road.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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Photo courtesy of AAA Northeast Facebook

Starting two months from today — May 7 — travelers will need a REAL ID, Enhanced Driver License (EDL) or a REAL ID compliant credential to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings, according to a press release by AAA Northeast.

A REAL ID has a star in the upper right hand corner.

While a traditional license will remain a valid form of identification for driving purposes, domestic air travelers should ensure they possess a REAL ID or REAL ID compliant credential before finalizing travel plans. Although a valid, unexpired U.S. passport will remain acceptable by the Transportation Security Administration for domestic air travel, AAA recommends frequent domestic travelers upgrade their traditional license to REAL ID.

“The key to making the REAL ID process as smooth as possible is preparation and arriving at appointments with all the right documents,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “Travelers should also know that they do not need a REAL ID simply to purchase airline tickets after the deadline, but will need a REAL ID to board any domestic flight after May 7.”

What are the common challenges to getting a REAL ID?

  • REAL ID requires in-person physical and electronic verification of all documents.
  • Only original, unlaminated, unaltered and accurate documents are accepted. You will not be successful if you deviate from the STATE’S REAL ID checklist.
  • Documents cannot be issued from a church, hospital or nongovernment agency.
  • All name changes must be proven with legal documents from birth to current name if a person has had name changes. Therefore, people who have had changes in their name should bring all documents showing the name trail from their lawful presence/birth document to their current name on their driver license/state ID. These documents must be issued by a city or state; church marriage certificates cannot be used.
  • All Social Security documentation must show the person’s full name and full Social Security number. If you need a new Social Security card, visit SSA.gov to request a free replacement card.

What else is important to note?

  • A REAL ID does not replace a passport for international travel. For international travel, AAA offers its members passport photo services.
  • Travelers do not need a REAL ID to purchase airline tickets, even for trips after May 7. Travelers just need to have a REAL ID or REAL ID compliant credential to board a domestic flight after May 7.
  • Be wary of fake DMV/MVC websites that emulate official state websites and may contain incorrect information. Always look for websites that end in .gov — phony websites often pay to show up at the top of search results.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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Only 13 percent of U.S. drivers indicated they’d feel safe riding in a self-driving or autonomous vehicle (AV). Photo courtesy of AAA

Drivers say they want better vehicle safety systems over self-driving cars.

Americans grew slightly less wary of self-driving vehicles over the past year, but an overwhelming majority still don’t trust riding in one, according to the latest AAA survey on autonomous vehicles.

Just 13 percent of U.S. drivers indicated they’d feel safe riding in a self-driving or autonomous vehicle (AV). That’s up from last year, when nine percent of drivers said they’d be comfortable. Despite the slight increase, 6 in 10 drivers still report being afraid to get into a vehicle that drives itself. 

For drivers, enhancing vehicle safety systems remains the priority — 78 percent of survey respondents listed advancements in safety systems as a top vehicle technology initiative. In contrast, the development of self-driving vehicles is a low priority as only 13 percent of drivers expressed interest in AV technology. 

“Most drivers are interested in advanced technology to enhance safety but still want to maintain control over their vehicles,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “When it comes to gaining consumer trust in self-driving vehicles, automakers face a long road ahead and as vehicle technology continues to evolve, educating consumers on safety standards is paramount.”

Robotaxis — self-driving vehicles used for taxi and ride-hail services — operate in several major cities. AAA’s survey found that 74 percent of drivers were aware of robotaxis, but more than half (53 percent) said they would choose not to ride in one. 

Interest in advanced driver assistance features (ADAS) continues to remain high. The survey found that 64 percent of U.S. drivers would “definitely” or “probably” want Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on their next vehicle, 62 percent would want Reverse Automatic Emergency Braking, and 59 percent would want Lane Keeping Assistance. AAA advocates for a standard body of names for these systems to accurately describe their capabilities, limitations and to reduce consumer confusion.

AAA has conducted various tests to determine if the technology performs as expected. Research released by AAA in October 2024 showed significant AEB advancements, particularly at speeds up to 35 mph.  

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.

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Pixabay photo

New AAA research finds most fatal pedestrian crashes occur at night on busy roads

New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals disturbing national trends in pedestrian fatalities which have risen 83% in the past 15 years. There were 7,522 fatalities nationwide in 2022, after reaching a historic low of 4,109 fatalities in 2009.

Almost the entire increase in pedestrian deaths happened on urban arterial roads after dark. These busy roads are typically built to quickly move a lot of traffic in urban and suburban areas while still allowing access to local streets. Examples of these roads include Hempstead Turnpike and Northern Boulevard with lots of pedestrians and vehicles,

Researchers uncovered that a disproportionate number of these pedestrian deaths occurred in socially and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Many residents in these areas depend heavily on walking, especially to reach public transportation. Cities and suburbs continue to grapple with several challenges when it comes to implementing the necessary infrastructure upgrades needed to make roads safer in these communities. AAA urges planners, public health professionals, legislators and traffic safety practitioners to work together to reverse these deadly trends.

The study also identified several interconnected factors in these crashes, including a lack of safe crossing locations, high pedestrian crossing volumes and poorly lit roads without continuous sidewalks.

“Reducing the spike in pedestrian deaths requires data-driven investments made where they can have maximum impact,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “Drivers and pedestrians alike must behave appropriately on the road. But, to truly move the needle on safety, policymakers must invest in road improvements in communities where adisproportionate number of pedestrians are hit and killed.”

AAA recommends a Safe System approach, which considers the need to address both human and infrastructure factors, reducing crash severity through safer roads, vehicles, speeds and road users.

AAA reminds drivers to do their part:

  • Rember to stay alert, follow speed limits, keep your smartphone out of reach and only drive when sober.
  • Do not rely on vehicle pedestrian detection systems to prevent crashes. This technology should only serve as a backup, not a replacement for an engaged driver.

Drivers are responsible for yielding to pedestrians, but those traveling on foot should also be vigilant. Pedestrians should use caution by staying on sidewalks and using crosswalks. Always obey traffic signals, look both ways before crossing the street and do not walk and text.

Read the full report here.    

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

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AAA projects 19 million Americans will embark on ocean cruises this year, a 4.5 percent increase over 2024, when 18.2 million Americans set sail. This will be the third straight year of record cruise passenger volume.

“The cruise industry has rebounded post-pandemic more strongly than other travel segments, with cruise demand growth exceeding hotel demand growth in the last two years,” said Robert Sinclair of AAA Northeast. “There’s a reason so many first-time cruise passengers become repeat customers. Cruises offer something for travelers of every age and provide a cost-effective, all-inclusive option that allows cruisers to enjoy meals, drinks and activities without worrying about additional expenses.” 

In 2022, cruise volume rebounded to 84 percent of 2019’s level, then surged to a new high in 2023, nearly 20 percent above the pre-pandemic baseline. That number has continued to climb since, with 2025 projected to surpass 2019 by 34 percent.

Seeking Sunshine

Most U.S. cruise passengers (72%) are heading to the Caribbean, while 6% are taking Alaska cruises and 5% will cruise in the Mediterranean. The Caribbean’s dominance this year is on par with its pre-pandemic numbers in 2018 and 2019.

Shorter Caribbean cruises are rising in popularity. Even though most cruise itineraries are six to eight days, 18% of Caribbean cruise itineraries this year are 2 to 5 days, compared to only 2% in 2023. The three busiest cruise ports in the world are in the same state: Florida! Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale are the busiest ports based on embarkation and debarkation. Miami landed the world’s largest cruise ship with the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas last year, and this summer, Port Canaveral welcomes the Icon’s sister ship, the equally large Star of the Seas.

Cruise Forecast Methodology 
In cooperation with AAA, Tourism Economics prepared the 2025 cruise forecast based on
scheduled cruise itineraries covering virtually all major cruise vessels, the economic outlook and
travel sector trends. This forecast relies on cruise-related analytics from Cruise IP (Tourism
Economics’ proprietary database for the cruise industry), economic forecasts prepared by Oxford
Economics and assumptions on the future path of the tourism industry.

In this analysis, U.S. cruise passenger volume refers to ocean cruises taken by U.S. residents. It
includes cruises that depart from U.S. or international ports.
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You Booked a Cruise … Now What?!  

If you’re one of the 19 million Americans going on a cruise this year, AAA Travel has expert advice to ensure your trip is smooth sailing.

  • Reserve activities ahead of time. Whether it’s an excursion, specialty dinner, or spa treatment, your best bet is to reserve your spot ASAP. Popular cruise activities sell out fast! And while you’re planning ahead, consider getting travel insurance to protect your investment in case of a medical emergency or another interruption during your trip.
  • Arrive the day before. If you’re flying into your port city, arrive a day or two before your ship is scheduled to depart. That takes the stress out of worrying about flight delays and cancelations, and it gives you time to explore your departure city. AAA travel agents can help book your flight through the cruise line which can be a convenient way to plan your trip. When you purchase airfare through cruise lines like Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, they will assist in the event of a travel disruption and help with ground transportation and other arrangements. 
  • Pick your parking spot. If you’re driving to your port city, decide ahead of time where you will leave your car. Most cruise ports offer parking right at the terminal, but like airports, those spots come at a premium price. To save some money, look for off-site cruise port parking options that offer a shuttle service. Another option is to look for hotels near the cruise port that offer “park & cruise” options. These packages allow you to stay at the hotel the night before your cruise and park your car there while you’re gone. The hotel will then take you to the cruise port on departure day and pick you up once you return.   
  • Download the cruise line’s app. You can check in for your cruise through the app, review the itinerary, complete the mandatory lifeboat drill, look at the daily program, and in some cases, open your stateroom door, order food, make dinner reservations, and text your friends. Best of all, you don’t need the ship’s internet package to use cruise line apps – they are free to use onboard!
  • Do your homework before packing. Check your cruise line’s list of prohibited items ahead of your trip. From irons and steamers to certain foods and beverages, each company is different, so take the time to look up what you can and can’t bring onboard or your items will be confiscated.
  • Items that come in handy. If you’re going on a Caribbean cruise, sunscreen is a must and bringing it from home saves you money. In general, sundries onboard are more expensive. If you take prescription medications, bring extra in case there is a delay during your trip. Magnetic hooks are popular with passengers who need extra storage space. Since cruise cabin walls are made of metal, hooks come in handy for hanging swimsuits and towels. Colorful beach towel clips are also useful at the pool deck to not only keep your towel in place but help you identify your lounge chair when you come back from taking a dip!
  • Embarkation dos and don’ts. Some cruise lines have scheduled embarkation times. Do arrive at your assigned embarkation time. Don’t try to get there early and hope they will let you on – they likely won’t. Don’t pack your passport or birth certificate in your suitcase. Always have your documentation with you including a copy of your boarding pass. If you do not have proper identification when you are checking in at the pier, you will be denied boarding. If you check your suitcase with a porter, your bag may not arrive at your stateroom for a few hours. Pack a small carry-on with your swimsuit so you can change right away and start the fun! 
  • Having fun? Run it back! If you’re enjoying your vacation at sea, look for the future cruise office onboard to book your next trip. There are often special promotions like onboard credits on top of the regular cruise line offers for bookings made onboard. Your travel agent back home will also be notified about your new booking. Just don’t wait until the last minute. The office gets busier as the final day of the cruise approaches, so stop by early in the trip, or make an appointment if the office takes reservations.

AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.5 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.

 

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Drivers need to proceed with caution when they spot deer on the side of roadway. File photo by Phil Schiavone

Deer grazing near roadways may look innocent but they can pose a possible hazard — even a deadly one — for drivers.

As fall arrives, the animals’ presence becomes an even greater danger. A higher percentage of deer are now more likely to dart out into the road as they are in the midst of their rutting season, which runs from October through December. Driving during dusk and dawn exacerbates the problem with reduced visibility.

According to a press release from AAA Northeast, there were 36,445 animal crashes in New York State in 2019, and the number of crashes has increased over the past five years. Suffolk County was found to have the third highest amount of animal crashes with 1,415. In 2019, Brookhaven had 423 animal crashes while Smithtown had 120.

The data was taken from the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, an affiliate with the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs, which does not cite which animals were involved in the crash. However AAA Northeast said in its press release that “data from New York and other states previous years found deer were involved in 88 to 98 percent of crashes.”

“Striking a deer can be extremely dangerous, with the animal possibly going through the windshield, seriously injuring or killing the driver and passengers,” said Robert Sinclair Jr., spokesman for AAA Northeast.

AAA Northeast recommends drivers brake gently and avoid swerving when encountering any animals.

“Going to the right could send the vehicle into a ditch, tree or light pole,” the AAA Northeast press release said. “Swerving to the left could result in a lethal head-on crash. Even hitting the brakes hard could send the front end of the vehicle into a nosedive, promoting the animal rolling up the hood and through the windshield.”

Other tips from AAA and insurance companies include:

● Be extra cautious when you see a deer-crossing sign along a roadway. The sign means that there have been deer-vehicle collisions near the sign location.

● Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides as they can bolt out or change direction quickly. If you see a deer, look for others as they are herd animals and usually travel in groups. Especially during rutting season when a buck may be chasing a doe.

● Move your vehicle to a safe place if you hit an animal. If possible, pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. If you must leave your vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of any oncoming vehicles.

● Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death or more than $1,000 in property damage, you must fill out an official crash report and send it to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

● Look for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, a hood that won’t latch and other safety hazards. If your vehicle seems unsafe in any way, call for a tow truck.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recommends not getting out of your car and approaching an injured animal as they can strike out with their legs or hooves. In Brookhaven, residents can call the Animal Shelter at 631-451-6950 to report deceased deer on the road or curbside. Town employees cannot remove animals found on front lawns, backyards or on driveways.

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